"Set sail—!"
At Roger's command, the massive anchor was hauled up and the brand-new sails snapped open with a thunderous whump.
The Oro Jackson, the golden ship forged from dreams and craftsmanship, glided silently out of Water 7's dockyards under the gaze of the entire city.
She moved so smoothly it was almost unreal—her hull cutting through the water without resistance, leaving behind only a gentle, musical ripple, as if the sea itself were caressing her.
"A ship, first and foremost, must be able to sail."
"It's really… dancing with the ocean," Brumarin murmured, stroking the railing in awe.
"Tom—!" Roger called from the bow, waving hard toward the massive figure on the shore.
"This ship is the greatest in the world!"
Tom didn't wave back. He just grinned wide and roared with everything he had:
"Go! Shake the whole world! DON!!"
The sound boomed across the harbor like cannon fire.
As Water 7 faded into the distance, the crew leaned against the rails, unable to hide their excitement.
"So much space!" Nozdon ran across the vast deck in wonder.
"This… this is a real pirate ship," Isaac muttered, a rare smile on his face.
Kyle walked to the integrated bow-cannon, running a hand along the cold metal.
"How do you think our partner's first 'laugh' will sound?" he asked.
Rayleigh raised his glass. "I have a feeling we won't wait long."
The lookout bell rang.
"Enemy fleet ahead! Marines—lots of them!"
Over twenty warships formed a crescent-shaped blockade.
Kyle's sensors locked on four familiar presences.
"Garp… Sengoku… Tsuru… and Zephyr."
Roger's eyes lit up.
"Perfect! The best possible welcome party!"
"Kyle! Let her laugh!"
Kyle slammed his hands on the main cannon.
A white shockwave blasted forward.
"BOOM—!"
Garp countered with his fist.
"Fist of Love—Impact!"
The collision created a crater in the sea itself.
The war began.
When the Marines tightened their net, Kyle made the call.
"Roger—we have to break out!"
Roger grinned. "Then tear a hole through it!"
Kyle raised his naginata.
"Vortex—Azure Dragon Tornado!"
A colossal waterspout lifted the Oro Jackson straight into the sky.
Even Garp couldn't follow.
When the ship landed miles away, the Marines were gone.
Roger laughed until tears came out.
"That… was perfect."
Kyle collapsed, exhausted.
Rayleigh handed him water.
Roger looked ahead, wind whipping his coat.
"That's our ship. Our partner."
And with that, the Oro Jackson sailed deeper into legend.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/NightShard525